Image reading apparatus

ABSTRACT

To set at least the main portion of a read original on an image reading apparatus while avoiding a discontinuous portion, the position of the discontinuous portion of photoelectric conversion element arrays is indicated, or an original holder to be used to set the original while avoiding the discontinuous portion is arranged.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/422,510, filed Apr. 24, 2003, to which priority under 35U.S.C. §120 is claimed. This application claims a benefit of prioritybased on Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2002-126162 filed on Apr. 26,2002 and No. 2003-100635 filed on Apr. 3, 2003, the entire contents ofall of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forthherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus which readsan image using photoelectric conversion element arrays and, moreparticularly, to an image reading apparatus which uses an image readsensor having photoelectric conversion element arrays with discontinuousportions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, there is an image reading apparatus which reads an imageon photographic printing paper or a magazine using an image reading unithaving a plurality of photoelectric conversion element arrays that arelinearly arranged.

Since the image reading apparatus has the plurality of photoelectricconversion element arrays arranged linearly, the photoelectricconversion element arrays have joints therebetween, and a read image hasdiscontinuous portions corresponding to the joints. However, the size ofthe gap at each joint is as small as about 60 μm in the currentmanufacturing technique. When an image on photographic printing paper ora magazine is to be read using a general 1·times·lens as ever, such a60-μm joint is negligible relative to the original size.

However, when a function of reading a transparent original such as aphotographic film is to be imparted to an image reading apparatus,joints pose a problem. To read and display a small fine image of aphotographic film, high-resolution photoelectric conversion elementarrays are often used, and a read image is enlarged when displayed inmany cases. For this reason, when the resolution of photoelectricconversion element arrays is, e.g., 2,400 dpi, a discontinuousportion/portions of 60-μm gap which corresponds to about six pixels at aresolution of 2,400 dpi is/are formed in an image. The discontinuousportion/portions is/are especially noticeable when the image is enlargedand displaying or printing an enlarged image.

Additionally, the image reading apparatus which reads a transparentoriginal using photoelectric conversion elements has a poorer resolutionat an end portion than at the central portion with respect to the mainscanning direction because of its optical system structure. Hence, atransparent original is generally read near the central portion.

Recently, however, an image reading apparatus using an contact typeimage read sensor which contacts with an original glass plate has beendeveloped in order to make the apparatus thin and compact. When aphotographic film is to be read by attaching a transparent originalirradiation unit to such an apparatus, the upper and lower edges of thefilm cannot be held by a film holder, hence, the film must be placeddirectly on the original glass plate while the transparent originalirradiation unit is placed on the film. In this case, even a very smallshift of the film from the focal point of the contact type image readsensor can result in a decrease in resolution because of a small depthof field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the abovesituation, and has as its object to reduce the influence of gaps betweenphotoelectric conversion element arrays on a read image by a simple andinexpensive arrangement.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding an image reading apparatus which reads an image of an originalcomprising: an image reading unit having a discontinuous portion ofphotoelectric conversion element arrays which are linearly arranged; adriving section which makes the original and the image reading unit moverelative to each other; and a positioning member used for determining amounting position of the original so as to prevent the discontinuousportion of the photoelectric conversion element arrays from reading amain portion of an image on the original.

It is another object of the present invention to minimize defocusingcaused by variation in accuracy of parts and to prevent defocusingcaused by lifting of an original by a simple and inexpensivearrangement.

According to the present invention, the positioning member of theforegoing image reading apparatus comprises a transparent originalholder which holds a transparent original, and a support member whichsupports a position of the transparent original holder so that aneffective image area of the transparent original is set outside an areawhere the discontinuous portion of the photoelectric conversion elementarrays scans while the original and the image reading unit arerelatively moved to each other, and the image reading apparatus furthercomprises an original glass plate on which the original is placed; and aplane light source which illuminates the transparent original from anopposite side of the image reading unit with respect to the originalglass plate, wherein the plane light source presses the transparentoriginal against the original glass plate.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic views showing the basic arrangement of animage reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the arrangement of an image reading unit of theimage reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the arrangement of a film light source unit ofthe image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the positional relationship between a 35-mmphotographic film and photoelectric conversion element arrays in theimage reading unit according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the arrangementof an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a state wherein a film holder is to be attachedto a scanner main body according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a transparent original irradiation unitaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a state wherein the transparent originalirradiation unit is fitted in the film holder according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view showing operation of tilting to insert the transparentoriginal irradiation unit into the film holder according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state wherein the plane light source of thetransparent original irradiation unit according to the second embodimentof the present invention comes into two-dimensional contact with a film;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the relationship between spacers, animage sensing element array, and the transparent original irradiationunit according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state wherein a platen cover of the imagereading apparatus is closed in reading a transparent original accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. The dimensions,materials, and shapes of components exemplified in the embodiments andthe relative arrangement thereof should appropriately be changed inaccordance with the arrangement of the apparatus to which the presentinvention is applied or various conditions. The present invention is notlimited to these examples.

<First Embodiment>

FIGS. 1A to 1C are views showing the arrangement of an image readingapparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1A is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a side view, and FIG. 1C is aplan view. Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, reference numeral 1 denotes animage reading unit; 2, a stepping motor; 3, a driving belt; 4, anoriginal glass plate; 5, a control board; 6, a 35-mm photographic film;7, an original regulating plate which also serves as a white referenceplate; 8, a flat cable; 9, an external computer; 101, a carriage towhich the image reading unit 1 is attached; 102, a film holder which isdetachable from the image reading apparatus and stabilizes the 35-mmphotographic film 6; 103, a film light source unit detachable from theimage reading apparatus; 104, a cable which connects the film lightsource unit 103 to the control board 5; and 105, an original regulatingplate.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the imagereading unit 1. Reference numerals 10, 11, and 12 denote red, green andblue LEDs, respectively. Reference numeral 13 denotes a light guide 13;14, a linear image sensor formed from photoelectric conversion elements;15, a rod lens array; and 16, a board to which the photoelectricconversion elements are attached.

The stepping motor 2 is driven by the control board 5. The driving forceis transmitted to the carriage 101, i.e., the image reading unit 1through the belt 3. The image reading unit 1 scans an object placed onthe original glass plate 4 while continuously moving along the originalglass plate 4.

As shown in FIG. 2 the linear image sensor 14 attached to the imagereading unit 1 is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the imagereading unit 1. In the first embodiment, the reading unit has a densityof 2,400 dpi in the widthwise direction of an A4 original. The linearimage sensor 14 has eight photoelectric conversion element arrays 14 ato 14 h which are linearly arranged. The number of elements perphotoelectric conversion element array is 2,576, and thus, total of20,608 photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on the board 16.

A case wherein an image on a reflective original (not shown) placed onthe original glass plate 4 is to be read will be described first. Inthis case, the film holder 102 and film light source unit 103 aredetached from the image reading apparatus.

Light from the LEDs 10, 11, and 12 reaches the upper surface of theoriginal glass plate 4 while being dispersed by the light guide 13 alongthe longitudinal direction of the image reading unit 1. The light isdiffused and reflected by the original placed on the upper surface ofthe original glass plate 4, converged by the rod lens array 15, andprojected onto the linear image sensor 14. As a characteristic featureof the rod lens array 15, the size of an image of the original projectedby the rod lens array 15 onto the linear image sensor 14 is the same asthe size of the original. Charges are accumulated in the linear imagesensor 14 upon receiving the light emitted from the LEDs 10, 11, and 12and reflected by the original. The charges are stored in a transfersection in the linear image sensor 14 in accordance with a line readstart pulse (Hsync) of the next period and output as an electricalsignal for each pixel in accordance with an image read clock (clock).

The LEDs 10, 11, and 12 are selectively turned on in response to eachline read start pulse (Hsync) so that the LEDs 10, 11, and 12 aresequentially turned on as the image reading unit 1 moves. Image signalsof respective colors due to the LEDs 10, 11, and 12 are sent from thecontrol board 5 to the external computer 9 through the flat cable 8. Theexternal computer 9 executes image processing.

A case wherein the 35-mm photographic film 6 as a transparent originalis to be read in the first embodiment will be described next. In thiscase, the film holder 102 and film light source unit 103 are used toread the film 6.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the arrangement of the film light source unit103 to be used to read the 35-mm photographic film 6. The film lightsource unit 103 incorporates a plane light source 17, red LED 18 forfilm, green LED 19 for film, and blue LED 20 for film. As the planelight source 17 of the first embodiment, a plane light source describedin, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-34210 may be used. Lightfrom each LED is emitted as uniform light from the lower surface of theplane light source 17. The effective light-emitting surface of the planelight source 17 of the first embodiment has an size of 50 mm·times·25mm. Hence, the plane light source 17 can irradiate the effective imagearea of one frame of the 35-mm photographic film 6, i.e., an area havinga size of about 36 mm·times·24 mm. The 35-mm photographic film 6 isplaced on the original glass plate 4. The film light source unit 103 isset on the upper surface of the 35-mm photographic film 6. The LED lightemitted from the film light source unit 103 passes through the 35-mmphotographic film and is projected onto the linear image sensor 14through the rod lens array 15. As in the above-described reflected lightreading, the LEDs 18, 19, and 20 are sequentially turned on as the imagereading unit 1 moves. The film light source unit 103 does not move, andthe image reading unit 1 moves to scan the 35-mm photographic film 6.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the characteristic feature of the firstembodiment. FIG. 4 shows the positional relationship between the linearimage sensor 14 and the 35-mm photographic film 6. As shown in FIG. 2,the eight photoelectric conversion element arrays 14 a to 14 h arelinearly arranged in the linear image sensor 14, and joints existbetween the arrays. When an image is read, the joints cause adiscontinuous portions in a read image. In the first embodiment, whenthe 35-mm photographic film 6 is to be read, the 35-mm photographic film6 is set so that the effective image area of the 35-mm photographic film6 avoids the joints, thereby preventing discontinuous portions frombeing generated in the read image. In the first embodiment, each of thephotoelectric conversion element arrays 14 a to 14 h has a length of27.26 mm, and the effective image width of the short side of the 35-mmphotographic film 6 is about 24 mm. In the first embodiment, since therod lens array 15 is a 1·times·lens, when the short side of the 35-mmphotographic film 6 is set within the scan range of a photoelectricconversion element array, e.g., 14 g, the 35-mm photographic film 6 canbe set while avoiding the joints. In the first embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the film guide 102 having the 35-mm photographic film 6 insertedinto a hollow portion 102 a is caused to abut against the originalregulating plates 7 and 105. The dimensions of film guide 102 aredetermined so that the 24-mm effective image area of the 35-mmphotographic film falls within the scan range of one photoelectricconversion element array (e.g., photoelectric conversion element array14 g), while taking errors of the respective members into consideration.

<Modification>

As shown in the original regulating plate 7 in FIG. 4, marks 401 thatindicate the end portions of the photoelectric conversion element arrays14 a to 14 h may be formed on the original regulating plate 7 byprinting or carving. The 35-mm photographic film 6 may be set withreference to the marks 401. Further, using both the film guide 102 andthe marks 401, the film guide 102 may be set at another position.Further, when a large photographic film that cannot be put within thewidth of one photoelectric conversion element array is to be read,degradation in quality of a portion of interest of the original imagecan be avoided by placing the portion of interest at a position far fromthe marks 401. Further, not only a transparent original but also areflecting original such as photographic printing paper can be arrangedin a similar manner.

<Second Embodiment>

The second embodiment of the present invention will be described next.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the arrangementof an image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 5, reference numeral 21 denotes afilm holder detachable from the image reading apparatus; 22, atransparent original irradiation unit; 23, a cable; 200, a scanner mainbody; 201, a base frame; 202, an original glass plate; 203 and 204,glass frames; 210, an image reading unit; 220, a platen cover; and 221,a hinge of the platen cover.

The image reading unit 210 has the same arrangement as that of the imagereading unit described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 2.The image of an object (not shown) placed on the original glass plate202 can be read in the same way as described above in the firstembodiment.

A case wherein a 35-mm photographic film F as a transparent original isto be read in the second embodiment will be described next.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a state wherein the film holder 21 is to beattached to the scanner main body 200. The film holder 21 has pawls 21 eand 21 f. The glass frame 203 has recessed portions 203 a and 203 bwhich engage with the pawls 21 e and 21 f. The user can position thefilm holder 21 in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning directionby fitting the pawls 21 e and 21 f in the recessed portions 203 a and203 b, respectively. The film holder 21 is vertically positioned as itis placed on the original glass plate 202 by its own weight. Since thefilm holder 21 is fixed by fitting the pawls 21 e and 21 f in therecessed portions 203 a and 203 b of the glass frame 203, displacementof the film holder 21 can easily be prevented. Reference numeral 201 adenotes a connector terminal for the transparent original irradiationunit 22; and 201 b, a connector terminal to be connected to an externalinformation processing apparatus such as a personal computer (notshown).

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing an example of the transparentoriginal irradiation unit 22. A plane light source 24 incorporates R, G,B, and infrared LEDs. Terminals 24 a, 24 b, . . . of the LEDs aresoldered to the pattern of a board 25 and connected to a connector 25 aon the board 25. The board 25 is fixed by pawls 24 h of the plane lightsource 24.

The plane light source 24 is inserted and fixed to a base 26. Aconnector portion 23 a of the cable 23 is fitted in a connector 25 a onthe board 25. A cover 27 is fixed to the base 26 by a screw 28.

The user positions the film holder 21 by attaching it to the scannermain body 200 in the above-described way. After that, as shown in FIG.5, the user inserts the film F into a hollow portion 21 c of the filmholder 21 and aligns a frame of the film to a positioning index 21 d,thereby positioning the film.

The cable 23 of the transparent original irradiation unit 22 is insertedinto the connector terminal 201 a for the transparent originalirradiation unit shown in FIG. 6. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, projectingportions 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c of the base 26 of the transparent originalirradiation unit 22 are fitted in recessed portions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 cof the film holder 21. At this time, since the end portion of theprojecting portion 26 c of the base 26 has substantially the same widthof the recessed portion 21 c of the film holder 21, when the transparentoriginal irradiation unit 22 is obliquely inserted, the plane lightsource 24 can not reach the film F before the plane light source 24 ismade parallel to the film, as shown in FIG. 10. In this manner, it ispossible to prevent the film F from being scratched by the edge of theend portion of the plane light source 24

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along the main operation direction whereinthe film holder 21 and transparent original irradiation unit 22 areattached to the image reading apparatus. As shown in FIG. 11, the planelight source 24 is designed to come into contact with the original glassplate 202 before the projecting portions 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c of thebase 26 come into contact with the lower surfaces of the recessedportions 21 a, 21 b, and 21 c of the film holder 21. Hence, even whenthe film warps, it is flattened and adhered to the glass by the weightof the entire transparent original irradiation unit 22 through the planelight source 24.

After the film holder 21 and transparent original irradiation unit 22are set in the above-described manner, the platen cover 220 is closed,as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a side view of the image readingapparatus. Accordingly, the mass of the platen cover 220 is transmittedto the film through the transparent original irradiation unit 22, so aneffect for further correcting warping of the film can be obtained.

When the user clicks on the start button on a personal computer (notshown) or presses the start button (not shown) of the image readingapparatus, the plane light source 24 sequentially turns on the R, G, andB LEDs. The image reading unit 210 incorporated in the scanner main body200 reads the image of the film while scanning in the direction of anarrow A in FIG. 5. At this time, the lamp of the image reading unit 210is OFF.

The image reading unit 210 uses a rod lens array to read an image in1·times·magnification, and the depth of field of the image reading unit210 is much smaller, because of its structure, than that of an imageread unit which uses a conventional CCD sensor that is widely used. Forthis reason, if the film is not in contact with the surface of theoriginal glass plate, no satisfactory read image can be obtained. In thesecond embodiment, the film is prevented from not being in contact withthe surface of the original glass plate 202 by pressing the film by theabove-described method, thereby obtaining a good image. Simultaneously,it is also important to guarantee the distance between the originalglass plate 202 and the image reading unit 210.

As shown in FIG. 11, spacers 31 a and 31 b are inserted between theimage reading unit 210 and original glass plate 202 at the two endportions of the image reading unit 210 to maintain the interval betweenthe original mount surface of the original glass plate 202 and thelight-receiving surface of the image reading unit 210. The image readingunit 210 and original glass plate 202 have a warp (generally, 0.2 to 0.4mm at maximum) because of manufacturing processes. Hence, a read imageis rather out of focus at the central portion of the linear image sensor14 than at the two end portions of the linear image sensor 14 where theinterval is guaranteed by the spacers 31 a and 31 b. For this reason, asharp image can be obtained when the film is placed at an end portion.In the second embodiment, since a part of the endmost photoelectricconversion element array is outside of image reading region, thephotoelectric conversion element array next to the endmost array of thephotoelectric conversion element arrays is used to read a film.

The image reading unit 210 requires a reading-element having the samewidth as that of an original in the main-scanning direction as shown inFIG. 5. Since such a long element cannot be implemented because ofmanufacturing processes, the reading element is formed by arranging aplurality of photoelectric conversion element arrays as described withreference to FIG. 2. As described above, the length of each ofphotoelectric conversion element arrays 14 a to 14 h is slightly largerthan the width of the 35-mm photographic film. To prevent the jointsbetween the photoelectric conversion element arrays from appearing on animage obtained by reading the film, the film is preferably placed suchthat its width is set within one photoelectric conversion element array.In the second embodiment, the film holder 21 is arranged to bepositioned in the main scanning direction by fitting the pawls 21 e and21 f of the film holder 21 in the recessed portions 203 a and 203 b ofthe glass frame 203 whereby the width of the film is entirely set withinthe width of any one of the photoelectric conversion element arrays 14 ato 14 h.

As described above, pawls are formed on the film holder, and recessedportions engaging with the pawls are formed in the glass frame so as toposition the film holder 21 at an end portion of the original glassplate in the main-scanning direction and set the width of the film inone photoelectric conversion element array. With this arrangement, evenwhen the image reading unit having a linear image sensor formed byarranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion element arrays isused, a high-quality sharp image without any discontinuous portions caneasily and reliably be obtained. Further, when lenses, such as thoseused in a rod lens array, having shallow depth of field are employed, afocused image is obtained.

In the second embodiment, recessed portions are formed in the glassframe along the sub-scanning direction (longitudinal direction of theimage reading apparatus) to be engaged with the pawls 21 e and 21 f ofthe film holder 21. However, any other design that makes recessedportions engage with pawls along the main scanning direction (widthwisedirection of the image reading apparatus), or along both the main andsub-scanning directions can also be employed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments andvarious changes and modifications can be made within the spirit andscope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of thescope of the present invention, the following claims are made.

1. An image reading apparatus which reads an image of an original placedon an original glass plate, comprising: an image reading unit having aplurality of photoelectric conversion element arrays which are linearlyarranged in a main scanning direction, each photoelectric conversionelement array including photoelectric conversion elements arranged inthe main scanning direction; a driving section which makes said imagereading unit move in a sub-scanning direction which is perpendicular tosaid main scanning direction; and a transparent original holder whichholds a transparent original as the original while limiting the positionof the transparent original in the main scanning direction when thetransparent original is placed on the original glass plate, wherein aneffective image area of the transparent original is set within an areawhere one of the plurality of photoelectric conversion element arraysscans.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising anoriginal regulating plate which regulates a position of the original onthe original glass plate by regulating a position of the transparentoriginal holder.